SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I WELCOME INDIVIDUALS FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

thank you, Marti Baker Girl, for your comments, I think that the purpose of preparedness is to put on the whole armor, top to bottom, to defend ourselves from the coming onslaught, and race, gender, political affiliation can all go to Hades when the time comes - either you're mentally, physically and spiritually prepared for the battle or you're not

Marti Baker Girl

Putting on my prepper hat, I have thought about this matter some more. In real world preparedness we are encouraged to vet someone coming into our groups. I realize the AP community is not a band of folks living in close proximity to one another and thus needing such a stringent vetting process. However, the writer asks a question that makes me a bit leery. Why the need to ask a prepping facilitator such a question about his group and people whom we likely will never meet? Not to sound paranoid, but many professionals across this country have had their businesses and personal lives destroyed because they chose not to go along to get along. 3 cases in point: Barronelle Stutzman a florist who declined to do a "wedding" floral arrangement for a same sex couple; Jack Phillips, baker who refused to design same sex wedding cake; Emilee Carpenter, a photographer who refused photo shoot for same sex wedding. Each of these stood for their religious convictions and have ended up basically ruined professionally, financially, and in many other ways by a group who preaches tolerance as long as you agree with them. 2 of the above cases went to the Supreme Court. So, I have to wonder if the writer is trying to gain the confidence of AP and the group by this question so that at a later date can bring accusations of "hate speech", "bigotry" and the whole list that gets one thrown in social media jail. I just find it odd since this is not a group where we sit, hug, and sing Kumbaya, but rather where we work our butts off and don't have time to be interested in one's sexual excursions. Just call me skeptical within reason.

Marti Baker Girl

As a community member I want to address 2 points. I am of African descent and almost 70. I am surprised that everyone has a month these days. In regards to your comments about XYZ month, Black History month began for very practical reasons. It began as Negro History Week to address the lack of teaching in the public school system about the contributions of people of African descent to the history of this country : "from the event's initial phase, primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of Black Americans in the nation's public schools." and was not designed to be a segregated event but rather to incorporate our contributions into this society. I grew up at the latter part of the Jim Crow America and had it not been for Black History Week/Month, I would have never known that Black people ever contributed anything to this country. We were simply left out of the history books back then. So no, ours did not start out as a trendy fad. Today however, I have to question the need for ANY XYZ Month. Second point - as far as the non-heterosexual issue, I am a part of preparedness channels for very practical information on current events involving how to survive in this upside down world. I really hope in this one, we don't go the PC path of "inclusivity" and special treatment based on race, gender, political party affiliation, etc. etc. etc. I will remain a part of this community until the day we go PC because IMHO Political Correctness has no place in my preparedness plans.

Gloria G

I agree with you, I sent my granddaughter (16 yrs old) to counseling to deal with many years of mental, emotional, physical and sexual abused from the hands of her drug and alcohol mother and stepfather.... theses counselor specialized in physical and sexual abuse and consider the top in their field..... so what was the outcome.... she now thinks she is a man and turned herself into one. So beware this is what they are teaching our kids today................... I agree with you AP 100% (she is 22 now and no I'm not turning her away I'm all she got and a good person who works does not drink or drug and helps me with all her her heart..... sad to say she is pretty damage from the pass.